Michael Bay's Bel Air Home, Listed at $13.5 Million, Sells to New York Developer

The director offloads his 1970s spread as his massive new Bel Air digs near completion.

Michael Bay has sold his Bel Air home listed at $13.5 million to New York developer Zach Vella. The Transformers director purchased the home in 1999 for $5.1 million and has made improvements to the 7,900-square-foot structure over the years.

Originally designed by the late Bel Air Country Club architect Jack Warner, the right-angled, four-bedroom house with library/den, pool and spa, theater and wine cellar, is located on almost an acre of land. Despite the many amenities, however, its most standout feature is the view, says David Parnes of The Agency, who, along with James Harris, represented the buyer: "You can see downtown L.A. to the ocean; the views are completely unobstructed and insane. And this is totally private, with gated driveways and no other properties looking onto it."

Vella has been acquiring commercial and residential properties on both coasts and most recently acquired a cluster of jewel box-like storefronts on Melrose Place, valued at $30 million. Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen will open their flagship fashion boutique, The Row, in one of the complex’s three buildings this year.

Meanwhile, construction is almost complete on Bay’s ultra-contemporary new mansion, also in Bel Air. More than four times larger than the home he just sold, the high-concept new digs are rumored to have a movie prop museum, hill-hovering bedroom modules and an angled swimming pool that is built into the side of the house.